In transportation, light weight is widely recognized as the key to reducing energy and fuel. Manufacturers of machinery for the plastics industry, manufacturers of plastic box enhancers, research institutes and plastic processors are working on large-scale production of lightweight components, particularly in the automotive and aircraft sectors.
In order to achieve mass production of lightweight components, special production methods, particularly reaction and injection molding technology, need to be integrated together to find the right solution.
Lightweight plastics or fiber composites, and polymer materials with matrix polymer reinforcement fibers and substrates can fast produce weight-optimized components with maximum processability.
In addition, K 2016 will show metal-plastic blends and polymer-fiber reinforcements. Thermoplastics, thermosets, and bio-based polyurethane substrates are being blended with glass, carbon and other synthetic or natural fibers to meet the requirements of modern applications. Substrate materials must meet flame retardant regulations, but also need to provide superior mechanical properties and fluidity, and fiber and matrix materials must provide adequate bonding properties.
By then, visitors can also see the gradual progress of lightweight multi-stage production process, including reinforced fiber and flexible materials, automated processing.
Conclusion: lightweight materials, whether it is in consideration of energy-saving, load-bearing or raw material costs, etc., have shown a new trend in the development of materials. To TPE's, currently the horn of weight reduction has been blown already. For example in the industry, micro-foam technology has now been widely used to reduce the density of materials.
